General Science Storm World review in the LA Times 31 Jul 2007 Some guy named Chris Mooney got reviewed for his latest book Storm World in the LA Times. You’d think from the reviewer’s comments that he did a good job. I’ve heard the name before… now where? Hmmm…. leave that one with me for a bit. [I got my copy, Chris,… Continue Reading
Politics Haneef again 31 Jul 2007 Sorry to bother you all with internal Australian politics, but this has to be discussed. Now the minister for immigration is saying that the Australian Federal Police intercepted a chat room conversation in which Haneef was told to leave Australia by (they say) his cousins before his knowledge of the… Continue Reading
Humor I’m the Captain, of course 30 Jul 2007 Your results:You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 80% Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 70% Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 65% Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) 60% Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 55% Derrial Book (Shepherd) 55% River (Stowaway) 50% Wash (Ship Pilot) 40% Inara Serra (Companion) 30% Alliance 20% A Reaver (Cannibal) 10%… Continue Reading
Administrative Travel and stuff 30 Jul 20074 Oct 2017 So the ISHPSSB Conference is done, and here I sit in the University of Exeter Library getting some internetting done for the first time in a week. Great conference. I got to meet Scibling John Lynch and his colleagues and drink much beer of various UK kinds. I got to… Continue Reading
Politics Haneef cleared 27 Jul 2007 A short note – it looks like Haneef has been cleared of all charges and the political pressure on his arrest and detention has been criticised by civil rights lawyers. Good news, but I really hope further action is taken against the AFP and the politicians. Keep an eye open… Continue Reading
Administrative In England’s green and wet land 25 Jul 2007 So, I finally have access to the internet. For the past few days I’ve been either in London, on planes, trains or in Exeter, where I am now for the ISHPSSB biennial conference of philosophers and historians (and some sociologists) of science. In London I walked myself silly (getting the… Continue Reading
Politics Indian terror suspect not really suspicious 20 Jul 2007 In yet further evidence that due process is a bulwark against the arrogance and incompetence, not to say potential police statery, of intelligence agencies, it turns out that the core piece of evidence against Dr Haneef, the Indian doctor being detained by the Australian government against the law, is wrong…. Continue Reading
Administrative Wilkins en route… 19 Jul 2007 So I’m off to the Mother Country on Saturday my time. Anyone in London who wants to meet for dinner on Sunday or Monday nights, drop me an email before I fly off… Continue Reading
Evolution Lateral transfer of genes across the evolutionary tree 18 Jul 2007 In recent years it has becoming increasingly obvious that there is a considerable amount of lateral, or cross phylogenetic, transfer of genetic material. In bacteria, this happens by several mechanisms, such as uptake of gene fragments from cells that have disintegrated, or by mechanisms such as conjugation (“bacterial sex”). Sometimes… Continue Reading
Politics Australia goes Gitmo 18 Jul 2007 An Indian doctor working in Queensland, where I live, whose cousin was involved in the failed bombing plot in the UK, was detained apparently because he lent his prepaid SIM card to the cousin. He was held without charge or bail for 13 days, under a magistrate’s orders, which is… Continue Reading